NHL Futures – Red Wings still supreme in Western Conference
Posted on 9/15/2008 2:48:47 PM
By Don Melrose
NHL futures: hockey season quickly approaching
- Champion Red Wings still favored in West
- Have changes helped San Jose?
- Anaheim ready to bounce back
Since the NHL implemented the salary cap and revenue sharing, NHL futures betting sharps have clamoring about all of the value for underdogs because of parity. But in the Western Conference, there might not be so much this year.
The Detroit Red Wings are the favorite in the conference, and the reigning Stanley Cup Champs added Marian Hossa this offseason, who was one of the most prized free agents. Even without Hossa they’d still be a favorite to represent the West in the Stanley Cup Final. With him, their Western Conference odds have dropped to +175.
Next in line will be the Anaheim Ducks, who faded a little bit since winning the Stanley Cup two years ago. Poor salary cap management has forced the Ducks to be very selective with their moves but they might be the biggest threat to Detroit if Scott Niedermayer and Teemu Selanne play for the entire season. Their NHL futures odds are +500.
If the Red Wings are tier one, the Ducks (+500) and San Jose Sharks (+500) are tier two. The Sharks bolstered their blue line with the addition of Dan Boyle and Rob Blake, but their biggest change should come behind the bench. Head coach Ron Wilson was replaced by former Red Wings assistant Todd McClellan and the change should bring a breath of fresh air. Wilson’s messages were as welcome as corrosive acid on sensitive skin by the end of his tenure.
NHL futures betting aficionados might not find a lot of value in the third tier of West teams. The Calgary Flames (+1200) are in the mix, but they still lack secondary scoring behind Jarome Iginla. The Dallas Stars (+1200) are there too, but their key offseason change was adding Sean Avery to a team that already has plenty of grit.
A couple of sexy dark horses might be the Phoenix Coyotes (+5000) and the Chicago Blackhawks (+700). The Coyotes added Olli Jokinen to an already loaded team with plenty of young talent. The Blackhawks signed Brian Campbell and Cristobal Huet to a team that many describe as the Western Conference’s version of the Pittsburgh Penguins. Both might make the playoffs, but neither has a realistic chance of making it to the Stanley Cup Final.
The Red Wings have an excellent core and NHL futures betting sharps know that they play in a very easy division. With the St. Louis Blues, the Nashville Predators and Columbus Blue Jackets in-house, the Red Wings shouldn’t sweat the regular season too much. They should have a top-three seed and head to playoffs fresher than any other contender.
Western Conference odds:
DETROIT RED WINGS +175
ANAHEIM DUCKS +500
SAN JOSE SHARKS +500
CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS +700
CALGARY FLAMES +1200
COLORADO AVALANCHE +1200
DALLAS STARS +1200
MINNESOTA WILD +1200
EDMONTON OILERS +1200
VANCOUVER CANUCKS +1400
NASHVILLE PREDATORS +1400
COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS +3000
ST LOUIS BLUES +3000
LOS ANGELES KINGS +5000
PHOENIX COYOTES +5000
Don Melrose’s NHL futures betting pick: Detroit Red Wings +175
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Who better to offer great sports betting and hockey tips than a native Canadian? Like any good Canuck, Don Melrose eats, sleeps, breathes and bets hockey, making him the perfect NHL handicapper. Thoughts or questions? Email Comments@BetOnline.com.
